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For service industries, measurement of labour productivity is much more complex and difficult. First, with the rapid structural transformation of our economy over the past decade, our service industries have become increasingly more sophisticated. There is a very large variety of services, and the nature of their output varies considerably. Second, whilst goods are tangible and can be more easily measured, service outputs are much less so, and are therefore more difficult to define and quantify. Third, producér price indices are required for measuring changes in output in real terms by removing the effect of price changes over time. In compiling such indices, particularly when going into more detailed breakdowns by sub-sector, price data is needed. This will require considerable support from respondents. The resources involved also will be very substantial. The Census and Statistics Department is nevertheless prepared to pursue productivity studies for the various service industries. Among other things, this will necessitate the seeking of additional resources or examining ways to redeploy existing resources which are already very tight.
End
Cement factory on Tsing Yi Island
*
Following is a question by the Hon Lee Wing-tat and a written reply by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
With regard to the cement factory adjacent to Greenfield Garden on Tsing Yi Island, will the Government inform this Council:
(a)
(b)
(c)
whether the cement factory will be decommissioned by the end of June this year in accordance with the terms of the Conditions of Exchange executed in November 1993; if not, why not;
what stage the relocation exercise has reached now and whether difficulties have been encountered; if so, what the difficulties are; and
whether the Environment Protection Department's plan to issue a two- year operating licence to the operator of the cement factory is in contravention of the terms of the Conditions of Exchange mentioned above?